Democracy Starts Here!

The records of the National Archives make a difference in the lives of real people. Understanding our records is key to understanding our history.

Education Resources

Additional Resources

Additional Resources

Through innovation and technology the National Archives sets the gold-standard in education for using primary sources in the classroom. Below educators will find links to additional National Archives resources that will be useful for teaching in the classroom using primary source materials.

★ Teaching with Documents

Teaching with Documents in the National Archives digital classroom. The digital classroom contains reproducible copies of primary documents from the holdings of the National Archives of the United States, teaching activities correlated to the National History Standards and National Standards for Civics and Government , and cross-curricular connections.

★ DocsTeach

DocsTeach is the online tool for teaching with documents, from the National Archives. Access thousands of primary sources — letters, photographs, speeches, posters, maps, videos, and other document types — spanning the course of American history. Borrow from an ever-expanding collection of document-based activities created by the National Archives, and teachers around the world. Create your own activities using the online tools.

★ Our Documents

Our Documents is a collection designed to help us think, talk and teach about the rights and responsibilities of citizens in our democracy, we invite you to explore 100 milestone documents of American history. These documents reflect our diversity and our unity, our past and our future, and mostly our commitment as a nation to continue to strive to "form a more perfect union."

★ Online Exhibits

Online Exhibits: National Archives is a curated thematic collection of interactive exhibits featuring documents, photographs, video and audio from the National Archives."

★ The National Archives Catalogue

★ Social Media and Digital Engagement

Social Media and Digital Engagement: The National Archives uses social media platforms to tell great stories, spark deep conversations, and provide opportunities for civic engagement. "

★ The Center for Legislative Archives

The Center for Legislative Archives, a part of the National Archives and Records Administration, preserves and makes available to researchers the historical records of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Through its public outreach programs, the Center uses these historical records to promote a better understanding of Congress and the history of American representative government.

★ Presidential Libraries and Museums

Presidential Libraries and Museums promote understanding of the presidency and the American experience. We preserve and provide access to historical materials, support research, and create interactive programs and exhibits that educate and inspire.